It will be an exciting summer in Maryland as celebrations get underway for the 200th anniversary of the national anthem. On Friday, students brushed up on Baltimore's role in a hands-on history lesson.

For a year, more than 600 students from 10 schools across the state have been researching and learning about the War of 1812. On Friday, they showed off their knowledge at Patterson Park in Baltimore.

"Just showing them that history's all around them, it's underneath their feet, is a pretty amazing experience for them," said Robert Novak, a teacher.

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake showed her support for Friday's educational program, saying, "They're learning history, they're learning Baltimore's role in American history and in the War of 1812 and they're doing it in a fun way."

History Field Day is a chance for students to learn about history in their own backyard and what part the neighborhood they live in now played in the War of 1812.

The students did research and went on field trips across the state to get a better understanding of their local history.

Some students formed a fife and drum corps like those that would have played in 1812.